Third win for Black Sticks

While a 2-1 win against Korea keeps the Black Sticks women in the running for a clean sweep in the five-game series, their performance was not up to scratch says key defender Stacey Michelsen.
The 19-year-old Northland born and bred Black Stick, who plays with maturity beyond her years, said last night's clash at Whangarei's ITM Rosvall Stadium proved the New Zealand team still have plenty to work on as they build towards this year's major competition - the Champions Trophy - and next year's London Olympics.
Despite scoring the opening goal of the match in the 16th minute from a penalty corner breakdown, Michelsen was not happy with her or the team's showing on the turf.
"We are still not performing to our potential. Our basics are not up to scratch ... we were playing end to end hockey without connecting with the ball and it's as if the girls are still in holiday mode - we need get out of that way of thinking," Michelsen said.
The fact the Black Sticks were still in their pre-season phase was no excuse for a bad performance, she added.
"We were all pleased with Saturday's game and our 4-1 win, but our last two games have not been good enough. Korea have improved since the first game, but we can't use that as an excuse either ... we need to keep stepping up and up as they improve."
The NZ women also won on Tuesday night, 2-1, in their first of two matches in Whangarei and a clean sweep of the series against Korea was within reach. "We are lucky to have the three home series as they are a good build-up for the Champions Trophy at the end of June," Michelsen said.
Korea showed skill throughout the match last night, especially through the midfield, but they struggled to get it past the New Zealand defence and convert their hard work into goals.
Following Micheslen's goal, the Black Sticks maintained most of the possession, with Anita Punt scoring the second goal for New Zealand later in the second half with a direct hit at goal from a penalty corner.
Eventually however, the Korean attack broke through the rigid New Zealand defence and scored from a hit outside the circle which was deflected by Mi Young Eum into the goal, giving Black Sticks goalkeeper Sally Rutherford no chance of saving it.
The Black Sticks head to Auckland today ahead of the fourth and fifth games in the series at Lloyd Elsmore Park.